Self-proclaimed “funky white bitch” Nikka Costa premieres the first video off her recently released EP, Pro*Whoa!, today on her YouTube channel, Nikka’s Box. Directed by Keith Megna, the “Nylons In A Rip” video conveys the intensity of her live shows.

In anticipation of her east coast tour kicking off July 13th in Philadelphia, Nikka is making a special guest appearance tonight, July 12th, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, sitting in with the The Roots as they back her on tracks from Pro*Whoa!. Tune in to NBC at 12:35/11:35C.

Win tickets to Nikka’s show at Highline Ballroom in NYC on July 14th. Contest expires on July 13, 2011 at 2:00 PM EST. Enter here to win

Some may recognize I, Ced from his composition and production collaborations with artists like Coultrain and Black Spade. On All In My Mind, his debut solo album, I, Ced shares his ability to create an inspired body of work utilizing the sounds heard in head, samples, and his own live instrumentation.

I, Ced speaks on his work, “I chose for the album to be in black and white because that is the feeling that I got when the album was put together. This feeling came from the message in a songs, the feeling from the instrumentals, even from the sounds or vibe of a track. This album has some aspects of my life with the common denominator is LOVE. Falling in love, the conflicts, falling out of love and moving on. The funny part is even the relationship with me and music, which is heard throughout the album.”

With the likes of Simbad and Daz-I-Kue calling the entire album a work of art, it’s certain that I, Ced’s message will be heard and felt by many.

Photoset (c) Phillip Angert begins with Fonce Mizell and King Britt at Giant Step’s “Dinner With Mizell’s” in 2007.

“We were all very sad to learn about the passing of the legendary Fonce Mizell of Mizell Brothers fame and Sky High Productions. It seems fitting to dig into our archives and have another look at one of my favorite Giant Step events, ‘Dinner With Mizell’s,’ an intimate sit down in Miami back in March 2007 during WMC, with Fonce and Larry plus a who’s who of DJs to raise a glass in their honor. To see grown men (including myself) act like giddy school boys in their presence is a true testament to their legacy and music” – Maurice Bernstein, CEO & President at Giant Step.

DJ Shadow is back with a gritty upbeat single featuring Afrikan Boy entitled, “I Am Excited.” Now all we need is a basement party where we only play this song on repeat and wild out like maniacs. The single will be available for sale on August 1st while Shadow’s upcoming album, The Less You Know The Better, will be out on September 5th.

Dripping with personality and presence, Toronto based rock-soul goddess Saidah Baba Talibah is a little bit of this and lot of bit of that. Drawing inspiration from her Grammy-nominated mother, Salome Bey, the tantalizing singer draws influence from her home town as well as the myriad of artists she provided supporting vocals, including K-OS, Jully Black, and Johnny Reid. Today, brace yourself for her highly visual and raw video for “(S)Cream,” which is also the title track for her album dropping August 2nd. You might need a little fan for this one.

Saidah speaks on the upcoming album, “(S)Cream is a collection of dreams, daydreams and realities, that speak from a place of fierceness, vulnerability, insecurity and assuredness. (S)Cream has put away all childish games and is all grown up, but is still searching and getting comfortable in all of her cracks and bulges, turn ons and turn offs. This is my coming out as a woman who likes to talk sex & sensuality, broken-heartedness, not taking anymore shit-ed-ness. I growl. I purr. I go to pretty places, harder places and naked places. I wish you joy, despair, heartbreak, inspiration and to be turned on.”